Mining machine



March 13, 1928.

L. A. MAXSON MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31. 1925 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 13, 1928.-

- L. A. MAXSON MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 51. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented-Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES FAT N 1 oFFieE.

LOUIS A. MAxson, or oLAnni/i'onrr; nnw nanrsnrnn, nssrenon T0 SULLIVAN" MACHINERY COMPANY, A conr'onarron or'ivmssacnusnrms.

MINING MACHINE.

Illhis invention relates to mining machines,

and more particularly to mining machines of the type which are adapted to cut kerfs 1 while sliding over. the mine bottom and which are fed and guided by flexible feeding means and feed operating and controlling members which cooperate directly with the flexible feeding means.

i In the operation. of mining machines according to :the room and pillar method, machines. having'cutter bars extending longitudinally of their frames are moved and guided by flexible feeding means during cutting, positioning, and loading ontoand unloading from the trucks which serve to support the machines during travel from one working face to the next. Depending upon the hardness of the coal and upon other conditions the cutting speed of the machine may vary widely, but ordinarily is between one and three feet per minute. During sumping, the extent of the cutting front being diminished, the speed may be substantially higher, but with hard coal will ordinarily'be perhaps two feet per minute while in rather soft cuttingand withother conditions favorable it may exceed live feet per minute. During por-iitioning, and loading and unloading, the feeding speed may be a good many times ashigh as during cutting. It will therefore be apparent that a machine may very advantageously be provided with mechanism providing cutting, sumping, and moving speeds.

, Among the objects; of the present invention is the provision ofan improved mining machine having improved feeding means. A more specific object of the invention is to provide improved mining machine feeding means providing predetermined speeds adapted to cutting, sumping, and moving or positioning. A further object of the invention is to provideimproved feeding means of the epicyclic type in which througl'i the different cooperation and actuation of the gearing elements a plurality of speeds adapted to theneeds of the machine operation may be secured. Austill further object of the invention is to provide improved feed driving mechanism of the epicyclic type in whichthrough the different coaction of the gearing elements a pair of driving members vertical plane of the machine.

mayprovide a greater number of feeding speeds. Other objects and advantages of the invention will subsequently appear. The foregoing objects may well be accomplished by the embodiment ofthe invention in a machine having a frame slidable over the mine bottom during cutting and .provided with a projecting cutter bar -support-' ing orbitally moving cutting elements. For feeding and guiding, the machine is preferably provided with rotatable feed operating and controlling means adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means -preferably a pair of rotatable feed operating and controlling members cooperating with flexible feeding port-ions, which may either be separate or may be the oppositeextremities of a continuous flexible feeding -me1nber.- Actuating and controlling means for the feed operating and controlling members preferably assumes a construction adapted to provide three predetermined feeding speeds respectively adapted for cutting, suinping andmachine moving or positioning. The several speeds are preferably obtained by the cooperation ofmechanis-m of the cpicyclic or differential type and comprising a set of coaxial members for each feed operating and controlling member, two of the coaxial members having coaxial gears associated therewith and'the third carrying planet means cooperating with the coaxial gears, means being provided to effect rotation of one or moreof said coaxial members, including means for effecting reverse rotation of one of thesame, means for connecting another of said members to a feed operating and controlling member also being provided.- Separate braking devices are also preferably provided for thefeed operating and controlling members, and where a .plurality of sets of coaxial members are employed similar actuating and controllin means forcorresponding members of eae set are preferably provided. .Preferably self-locking worm gearing may be used to actuatethe positively rotatedcoaxial members, and when a plurality of sets of the latter are used the Worms are preferably vertically arranged in the central longitudinal.

If desired, auxiliary locking means-may be used with the Worm gearing to look any work which may be serving as a reaction member, whereby greater leads may be employed. A common motor preferably serves for the cutting mechanism drive and feeding, and both drives may be from the rear end of the motor.

"In the accompanying drawings in which for purposes of illustration there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a View partially in plan, but mainly in longitudinal horizontal section through the feeding mechanism of a mining machine, certain parts being omitted.

, Fig. 2 is a central vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isafragmentary section 011 the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of Figsl and 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the main frame of a mining machine, which carries at its forward end in rigid longitudinally projecting relation a cutter bar 2 about which a cutter chain 3 is adapted to be circulated under the actuation of'a cutter chain driving sprocket 4 j ournaled in a man- 9 journaled in bearings 10 upon the frame.

At'its rear end the shaft 9 carries a bevel driving pinion 12 which meshes with a bevel gear 13 rotating upon a vertical axis, the gear 13 being rigidly mounted upon a vertical shaft 14 which is journaled in the bearings 15 upon the frame 1. Atitslower end the shaft 14 carries a spur driving pinion 16 which meshes with and drives a driving gear 17 coaxial with the. cutter chain driving sprocket 4. The gear 17 is keyed to a shaft 18 as at 19 and is provided with'a sleeve 20 upon which abearing sleeve 21 carrying the cutter chain driving sprocket 4 is rotatably mounted. At its upper end the sleeve 21 carries internal clutch teeth 22 with which a cooperating set of clutch teeth 23 formed upon a vertically slidable sleeve 24 may engage. The sleeve 24 is splined as at 25 to the shaft 18 and may be slid up and down upon said shaft by a clutch shifter 26 which may have any suitable actuating means as, for example, a manually controlled supporting shaft 27. The exterior periphery of the cutter chain driving sprocket 4 is journaled in bushings 32 and 33 mounted in dif ferent portionsofthe frame 1 and it will be observed that the gears 16 and 17 are enscribed.

closed in a chamber 35 formed in the frame beneath the plane of the cutter chain driving sprocket.

\Vithin a chamber above the cutting mechanism is enclosed the illustrative enibodiment of my improved'fceding mechanism. This feeding mechanism is adapted to effect rotation in opposite directions upon reversal of the motor 6 and in either direction at three different predetermined speeds respectively adapted to feed during cutting,

feed during sumping, and feed during mov-- ing onto and .olf of the truck and during positioning, of a pair of feed operating members 41 and 42 which are herein of the rope or cable winding type, although they may obviously take the form of food chain engaging sprockets where it is desired to employ a continuous chain in place of separate feed cables. The feed operating members 41 and 42 are each journaled on bearings 43 upon projections 44 carried by the frame 1. The actuatingmechanism for each of these feed operating members is the same as for the other and accordingly but one side of the feedlngimechanism needs to be de- Referring therefore to :the feed operating member 41 it will be observed that clutch member 53 to the clutch teeth 49 to connect the drum to the shaft 46. The clutch 53 may also be employed to connect the teeth 49 to a truck driving memben (shown in dotted lines) if desired.

The shaft 46 extends through an opening 54 in the projection 44 an'dis journaled in a bearing '55 in the end plate 56 of the main frame. sleeve 57 keyed thereto at 58 and having-in interlocking engagement therewith a series of friction clutch dlscs 59 which alternate with the discs 60 of a second series carried in non-rotative relation by a member 61 keyed as at 62 within the frame 1. From the description so far given it will be obvious that the shaft 46 may be braked upon .the application of pressure to the clutch discs 59 and 60. Next to the sleeve 57 is a sleeve 64 which is surrounded by a member 65 which cooperates with a member 65 in inclosing the friction clutch mechanism. Between the members 65 and 65 is an annular opening 66 through which fingers 67 extend and act to load the friction clutch. fingers 67 are carried upon a longitudinally slidable clutch sleeve member 68. Forward of the sleeve 64 there is keyed to the shaft Inside of this plate itcarries a The a 46 a "further sleeve :to which a plurality of friction clutch discs 71:are secured in nonrotative relation; Theslee-ves 7 O and '64 are surrounded by the cooperating members 72 Mid-'73 of a friction clutch housing within which the discs 71 (are disposed and the memlber 72 carries in non-rotative relation thereto a series of clutch discs T5 alternating with the clutch :discs 71. Between the members 72 and 73 is :an annular opening 76 corresponding to the opening 66 and clutch operating fingers Z77 directed oppositely to the fingers 6.7 are adapted to force the discs 71- thereto a worm wheel 87 which constitutes a driving member for the shaft. At its rear end the shaft has gear teeth 88 formed thereon which mesh with the'teeth of the planet gears 84 and undersome :circumstances cooperate in driving the same. Just for-ward of the gear portion '88 is a bearing '89 carried by the frame, in which a sleeve 90 surrounding the shaft 85 is journaled. The sleeve 90-carries an internal'gear 91 whose periphery is in the form of a worm wheel 92, the internal gear *91 also engaging the teeth of the planet gears 84.

' It will be understood that the construction described with respect to the drum 41, shaft 16 and all the parts associated therewith is precisely duplicated in the mechanism employed for the drive of the drum 42. Forthe purpose of drivingthe worm wheels 87 and 92 there are arranged for rotation upon vertical axes lying in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine a pair of driving worms 101 and 102 respectively constituting driving elements for the avorin wheels 87 and for the worm wheels 92.

The worm 102 is mounted in non-rotativc re lation to the shaft 18 and is fixed-against longitudinal movement thereon. The worm 101 is mounted in non-rotative relation to a shaft 103 which is journ-aled in bearings 104.- and 105 respectively at its lower and upper ends. The lower end of the shaft 103 is r0 1 tatably surrounded by a sleeve 106 carrying a spur gear 107 which meshes with and is "constantlydriven by a gear 108 splined as at 109 to the shaft 18. Adjacent its upper end the shaft 103 is rotatably surrounded by a gear 110 which constantly meshes with-and is driven by a-gear 111 (see Fig. 3) which in turn aneshcs with :a gear 112 splined to the shaft 18 adjacent the upper end of the latter which is journale'd in a bearing 113. The gear 110 has dependingsleeve portion 114. The sleeve 106 against the opposite ends ofthe -\vo'rm' and each has splined thereto a :clutch. member.

The latter are designated-115 and .116 and are selectively .cngagea ble with teeth 117 and 118 on ilhe worm 101. Onaelevation of the clutch members 115 and 1:16 the worm will be connected through clutchfllfr andwzteeth 117 to the sleeve 106 and will be. driven *by the latter audit will be obvious-that the downward movement of the clutches may connect: the worm with the'sleeve 114 whereby the worm may be driven by the gear 110. hen :the clutch 116 is in midpositiolithe worm is allowed to remain stationary and locks its worm wheels 87.

Clutches 11.5 and 116 are simultaneously movable by shippers119 and 120 mounted on transverse shafts121 and 122 and connected.

by link means 123. Any suitable 'sellt loclring handle maybe employedfto .simulta'ne' ously rotate the shafts and such ahand-le is shown at 124. Suitable .guide sheaves I30, 131 and 132 are arranged in pairs on vertical axes in positions-to be cut Eby planes tangent to the winding surfaces of the drums l1 and l2 and respectively aboveand below such surfaces, and guide sheaves 133 are arranged at the front end of the machine frame adjacen't'the plane of the cutter bar to enable cutting in. opposite directions.

The clutch loading members 68 are'controlled, as best shown in Fig. t, by 'apairof handles 136 and 137 which respectively operate coaxial controlling'members 13-8 and 13$) for the two {clutch loading members 68 and which :may be placed at either side of the machine for reverse cutting.

The mode of operation :of the feed opera a'ting gear can be readily understood from the description so far given; ditwill beappreciated that the speeds transn'iitted to the and the sleeve l 14-abut1' feed operating niem-berswill depend inlarge measure upon the particular nature :of the gearings. v F or -.the purpose of simaplicity a gearing in which the cutting speed isroughone-half the sumping speed and the'ja'nachine moving or positioning speed is roughly six times the cutting speed, has-been dis closed. It will be appreciated that ;by .in-

creasing the speed multiplication between the shaft 1.8 and the worm 101 the feeding 5 speed may he increased. For example, if the ll'lultlpliCiltlOll were four to one instead of vtwo to one as illustrated, the machine mov mg speed would be ten times the cuttlng speed. The speed of the planet carrier-81 which determines the speed of rotation of *tho'feed operating memberis equal to the peed of the worm. wheel 92 multipliedby the quotient obtained by dividing then'umher of teeth upon the internal gear 91 by the sum of the number of the teeth upon this gear and upon the pinion 88 plus or minus the product of the speed of thepinion 88 multiplied by a factor equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the number of teeth on the pinion 88 by the sum of the teeth on the pinion 88 and internal gear 91. Y It will be noted that the worm 102 constantly drives the gears 91 in such direction as to cause the feed operating members 41 and 412 to rotate respectively clockwise and counter-clockwise whenthe motor is running in a direction appropriateto cuttin froinright to left. The cutting speed is odatained when the worm 101 is run in the same. direction as theworm 102, it being observed that this is accomplished through the gears 112, 111, and 110 and with the proportions disclosed for purposes of illustration the worm 101 will. then be rotated at 0ne-half the speed of the worm 102. It may then be noted that the lead of the worm 101 is-three times the lead of the worm 1 02'and accordingly that the angular rate of rotation of the worm wheel 87 will be one and one-half times that of the worm wheel 92. The worm wheel 87, however, drivesthe gear 88 which has only one-third the number of teeth that are provided by the internal gear-.91. Accordingly, the rotation of the gear 88 in a direction opposite to the rotation of the gear 91 in the manner described will serve simply to halve the speed transmitted to theshafts 46 and so to the feed operating members. The speed so obtained will correspond to the cutting speed and be equal to one-half the sumping speed obtained through the drive of the worm 102 alone while the worm 101 is stationary and acting as a lock andthe gear 91 serving as V a reaction gear. The machine moving speed is obtained when the gear 108 driving the gear 106 effects a rotation of the Worm 101 at twice the speed of rotation of the worm 102. In view of the direction and difference in lead of the worms, the gear 88 will make six revolutions to each one of the internal gear 91, but in the same direction with the result that the shaft 46 will be driven six times as fast as during cutting operation. Now that the speed ratios are understood, it will be evident that a flexible feeding member 135 passing from a jack adjacent the left hand rib around the guide sheave 133 and wound in a clockwise direction upon the drum 42 will be wound in at any of the three speeds mentioned dependmg upon the position of the clutch members 115 and 116,and it will be noted that a flexible feeding member mounted in a similar manner upon the feed operating member 41 would likewise tend to be'wound but may be wholly relieved from the influence ofthe feed operating driving mechanism and braked as desired by shifting the clutch loading member 68 to a position wherein the driving clutch is unloaded and its shaft 16 frictionally connected to the member 61 which is keyed to the main frame. It will therefore be apparent that, depending uponlthe' position of the upper clutch 68, sumping can be effected or the receding flexible feeding member permitted to pay out as dGSllGCl, and that the advance flexible feeding portlon 135 may be drawn 1n at any of the three speeds needed.

lVhile I have in this a iiplication specifia cally described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operatingmember, and means cooperatingv with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with. said feed operating member to rotate the latter at apredetermmed cut- 7 ting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed. i

2. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feedingmeans, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operatingmember to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for'rotating one of said other coaxial men'ibersseparately or both simultaneouslyr p In a mining machine, amotor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means; including a feed operating member ada ted to cooperate directly with flexible fee. ing means, and means for actuating and GOIltIOlllIlgl'OtfitlOH of said. member including a. plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxialg-ear members and another of which supports; planet means meshingwith said grea r members, means for operatively connecting; one of said coaxial members to said .feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said-member operatively connected with said feedi operating. member to. rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumpin-g, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means COIDPIlSlDQ'IDQMlS-fOl'lOtfltlIlg one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the 821 1116 direction.

4h In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanisnr driven. thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding: means, and means for actuating; and controlling rotation of said'member including; a plurality of. coaxial. members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshiingrjwith said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and

means cooperatingwith said: other coaxial members to cause said member operatively. connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumpingand a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means forrotating one ofsaid other coaxial members separately or both simulta neously in opposite directions.

Ina in-iningmachine, a motor, cutting mechanism. driven thereby, and. feeding means including a feed operating member adapted. to. cooperate directly with flexibleiiecdingmeans, and means for actuating; and controllingrotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes-,two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet. means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting. one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating withsaid other coaxial .members to cause said coaxial member to rotate the feed operatinemeniber at a. predetermined cutspeed.

ting, a higher predetermined sumping, and a still higher predetermined machine moving.

6; In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and. feeding controlling rotation. of said. member including a-plurality oi coaxial members rotating,

on horizontal axes,'two of which support coaxial gear. members and another of which supports planet means meshing with; said gear members,.mea-iis for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating. with said other coaxialmembers. to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and-a predetermined. still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said othercoaxial members separately or both simultaneously.

7. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means includinga feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear ii'ieiiibers,v means for operatively con:

necting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to causesaid' member operatively' connected with said teed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating, one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction.

8; In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating'member nesting one of said coaxialmembers to said.

iced operating, member, and means co0perating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate.

the latterat. a: cutting, a. higher sumping,

and a still higher machine moving speed,

said last mentioned means comprising means for. rotating: one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneouslyini opposite directions. V

9 In a mining niachine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means. including a. ,feed operating, member members to cause said member operatively ada ted to cooperate directly with flexible connected with said feed operating member torotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed.

10. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality, of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which'support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operatingmember, and. means cooperating with said other coaxial connected with said feed operating member to rotatethe latter at a predetermined cuttingga predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means compris: ing means for rotating one of said other 00- axial members separately or both simultaneously.

11. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding meansincluding a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member includ-" ing a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which support coaxialgear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and

meanscooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cut ting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately orboth simultane'ously in the same direction. p

12. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating {member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member mcluding aplurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planetmeans meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxialmembers to said feed operating member, and

means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means compris ing means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneouslyin opposite directions.

. 13. In a mining machine, a motor,cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly' with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rota tion of'each of-said members including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with-said gear memberspmeans foroperatively connecting one of said coaxial memhere to said feed operating member, and

meanscooperating with said other coaxial members to causesaid member operatively connected with aid feed operatingmember to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and

a predetermined still highermachine mov-'' ing speed.

14. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding 7 means including a'plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate di-. rectly with flexible feeding means, and means foract-uating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members" and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operatmg member, and

means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cut ting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher "machine mov ing speed, said last mentioned means comprising means forvrotating one-of said other coaxial members separately or both simul taneously. i

15. In a miningmachine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding Ill!) ii o connected with said feed operating member.

to rotate the latter at a predetermined'cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or' both simultaneously in the same direction.

16. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for-actuating'and controlling rotation of each'of said" members including a plurality of coaxial members, twoof which support coaxial gear member-sand another of which supports-planetmeans meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to-said feed operatingmember, and

means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at arcuttin'g, a higher sumping, and'astill higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means compris.

ing means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously. in' opposite directions,

17. Ina mining. machine, a motor, cutting .mcchanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to. cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controllingrotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, twoof which support coaxial gear members and another of which; supports planet means meshing'with said gear members, means for operat-ively connecting'one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial. members to cause said means including a plurality of feed'operating members eaclizadapted. to. cooperate di rectly with flexible feeding means, and.

means for actuating. and controlling rota horizontal axes, two of which support. co.-

axial gear members and another oi which supports planet means meshingwith said gear members,vmeans for operatively connccting'one of said coaxial members. to; said teed operating member, and means cooper-- ating with said other coaxial members tocause said member operatively' connected. with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and a. predetermined still higher machine moving. speed, said last mentioned means comprisingmeans for rotating one of said othercoa-xial members separately or bothsimultaneously,

19.. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feedoperating members each adapted tocooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means and means .for actuating and controllingrotation of each of said membersincluding a feed operating member to; rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined. higher sumping, and a predetermined still. higher machine moving speed, said last men.- tioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction; 7 T

20. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting. mechanism driven ,thereby, and. feeding means including a plurality of feed operat ingmembers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding, means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including; a.

plurality of coaxial members rotating; on horizontal axes, two of which; support coaxial gear members and another. of which supports planet means meshing withw said gear members, means for operat vely. connectmg one of sa d coaxial members to said feed operating member,..and. means cooper ating with said other coaxial members .to cause said member operatively connected with said feed. operating member torotate the latter at a; cutting, a higher sumpin and a still higher machine moving spec, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial DIEM- bers Separately or both simultaneously in opposite directions.

21. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a' plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members includinga plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which supportcoaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher sumping, and

a predetermined still higher machine movmembers to said feed operating member, and

means cooperating with said other coaxial membersto cause said member operatively' connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predeterinined higher sumping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means fol-rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultan'eously. a

23. In a mining machine a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxialmembers rotating on horizontal. longitudinally extending axes, twoof which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed. ope 'ating member to rotate the latter at a predetermined cutting, a predetermined higher snmping, and a predetermined still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction. i

24. Ina mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and

means for actuating and controlling rota-- tionof each of said members includinga:

speed, said last mentioned means comprismg means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in oppositedirections.

25. In a. mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said-motor including co axial elements rotating on horizontal axes,

planet means cooperating directly therewith,

means for rotating each of said coaxial ele lou ments .to effect operation of said planet means, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexiblefeeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet. means, I

26. In a miningmachine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and. feeding means driven by said motor including coaxial. elements rotating onflhorizontal axes, planet means cooperating directly therewith, means, forrotating-one of them in opposite directionsat different speeds to control operation'of said planet means, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet means. I

27. In a miningmachine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding mean-s driven by said motor including coaxial elements, planet means cooperating directly therewith, means for rotating said coaxial elements to efiect. operation of said planet means including means for rotating one of them continuously during. feeding and the other at will, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet means, said coaxial elements having horizontal axes. 28. In a mmmg machine, a. motor, cut- Ill) ting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including coaxial elements, planet means cooperating directly therewith, means for rotating said coaxial elements to control operation of said planet means including means for rotating one of said coaxial elements continuously during feeding and the other at will in either direction, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate withflexible feeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet means on a horizontal axis.

29. In a mining machine, a-motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a worm rotatable on a vertical axis, and a plurality of gear mechanisms each comprising like elements, each of which constitutes a reaction element for drive from the other, and planet means cooperating with said elements, said worm rotating one of said like elements in each gear mechanism.

30. In a mining machine, a motor, cut ting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including worms rotatable on vertical axes, and a plurality of gear mechanisms each comprising like elements, each of which constitutes a reaction element for drive from the other, and planet means cooperating with said elements, said worms rotating like elements in each gear mechanism.

31. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and mean-s cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other 00- axial members separately or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

32. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear member's, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial m mbei o sa d eed perating member, and

means cooperating withsaid other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned mean-s comprising means for rotating one of said other'coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction but at different angular rates.

83. In a mining machine, a n'iotor,'cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, andmeans for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear. members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said othercoaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxialmembers separately or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

34:. In a mining machine, a motor,-cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, two of which support coaxialg'ear members and another of which supports planet means meshingwith said gear members, means for operatively conneeting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping,

and a. still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction but at different angular rates.

35. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member includ ing a plurality of coaxial. membersrotatmg onliorizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one'of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentionedmeans comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

36. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexiblefeeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of said member including a plurality ofeoaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which'support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentionedmeans comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simul taneously in the same direction but at different angular rates.

37. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate di rectly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of. which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping. and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

38. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actu ating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of whichsupports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said mei'nber operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial. members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members sepa'ately or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

40. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate di rectly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other eoaxialmembers to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still high er machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately orboth simultaneously in the same direc tion but at different angular rates.

41. Ina mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and

means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including aplurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed Operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher inachine'moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members sepa 'a-tely or both simultaneously but at different angular rates.

42. In a mining machine, amotor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means including a plurality of feed operating members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and means for actuating and controlling rotation of each of said members including a plurality of coaxial members rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, two of which support coaxial gear members and another of Which supports planet means meshing with said gear members, means for operatively connecting one of said coaxial members to said feed operating member, and means cooperating with said other coaxial members to cause said member operatively connected with said feed operating member to rotate the latter at a cutting, a higher sumping, and a still higher machine moving speed, said last mentioned means comprising means for rotating one of said other coaxial members separately or both simultaneously in the same direction but at different angular rates.

43. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including coaxial elements rotating on horizontal axes, planet means cooperating directly therewith, separate means for rotating each of said coaxial elements, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet means.

44. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including coaxial elements, planet means cooperating directly therewith, separate means for rotating said coaxial elements including means for rotating one of them continuously during feeding and the other at will, and a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on orbital movement of said planet means, said coaxial elements having horizontal axes.

45. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adaptedto cooperate with flexible feeding'means, and means for independently driving said members selectively at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed.

46. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable in opposite directions and adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for independently driving said members solectively at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an intern'iediate predetermined sumping speed.

47. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on parallel axes and adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and meansfor independently driving'said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed.

48. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on parallel horizontally disposed axes and adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for independently driving said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed.

49. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members rotatable on parallel horizontally disposed axes extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for independently driving said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an interme-. diate predetermined sumping speed.

50. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for either independently or simultaneously driving said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a relatively high predetermined positioning speed, and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed,

51. In a mining machine, a motor,cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed Operating members adapted to cooperate With flexible feeding means, and means for driving said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a predetermined relatively high positioning speed and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed including a clutch and brake controlling each feed operating member.

52. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for driving said members at a predetermined slow cutting speed, a predetermined relatively high positioning speed and an intermediate predetermined sumping speed including a clutch and brake controlling each feed operating member and disposed coaxially therewith.

53. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for independently driving said members selectively at a slow cutting speed, a relatively high positioning speed and an intermediate sumping speed including a planetary plural predetermined speed change speed mechanism individual to each feed operating member. V l

y, 54. In a mining machine, a motor, cut ting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and

means for driving said members at three predetermined speeds including a planetary change speed mechanism individual to each feed operating member. 7

55. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and feeding means driven by said motor including a plurality of feed operating members adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for driving said members at a plurality of predetermined speeds including a planetary change speed mechanism individual to each feed operating member, each of said change speed mechanisms including a reaction member adapted to be held stationary to effect one driving speed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LOUIS A. MAXSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,662,795, Granted March 13, 1928, to

LOUIS A. MAXSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2. line 1, for the word "work" read "worm" and line 10, for the word "an" read "one"; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April, A. D. 1928.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

